Judge holds self in contempt over smartphone

[KamaAina]

http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Judge-holds-self-in-contempt-for-his-smartphone-4434742.php

A Michigan judge whose smartphone disrupted a hearing in his own courtroom has held himself in contempt and paid $25 for the infraction.

Judge Raymond Voet has a posted policy at Ionia County 64A District Court stating that electronic devices causing a disturbance during court sessions will result in the owner being cited with contempt, the Sentinel-Standard of Ionia and MLive.com reported.

On Friday afternoon, during a prosecutor's closing argument as part of a jury trial, Voet's new smartphone began to emit sounds requesting phone voice commands. Voet said he thinks he bumped the phone, and the embarrassment likely left his face red....

Over the years, the judge whose court is about 110 miles northwest of Detroit has taken phones away from police officers, attorneys, witnesses, spectators and friends. During a break in the trial, Voet held himself in contempt, fined himself and paid the fine.

Hey, it could've been worse. He could have thrown himself in jail!

[pinboy3niner]

1. "Hey, it could've been worse. He could have thrown himself in jail!" LOL

Question: Would he have thrown his ass in jail if he'd caught himself butt-dialing?

[In_The_Wind]

5. That would be reassuring.

[olddots]

2. this is just and good

maybe it will set a good example oops gotta go that's my phone ...

[elleng]

3. Sounds like a good guy.

[MiddleFingerMom]

4. The only time I've done jury duty was for a First Degree Murder case and I was...

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... amazed at what a keen sense of humor the judge had during the preliminary proceedings (he was
all business during the case itself) -- how absolutely FUNNY he was without crossing any boundaries
of good taste.
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